Saturday Morning News - 10/3/09

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, has been named the site of the 2016 Olympics. This is the first time a South American nation will hold the games, and only the third time they will be held in the Southern Hemisphere. [Washington Post]

Montreal Canadiens D Andrei Markov will miss 3-4 months after undergoing surgery to repair a sliced tendon in his ankle. [Bleacher Report]

Oregon's LeGarrette Blount, originally suspended for the season for his actions after the season opener against Boise State, could be reinstated as early as November 7, says head coach Chip Kelly. [Seattle Times]

Tiger Woods is believed to be the first athlete to earn $1 billion after his $10 million FedEx Cup win. [LA Times]

Magic Number Update: The Detroit Tigers and LA Dodgers numbers remain at 2 and 1, respectively. Both teams division leads are at 1 game, but LA will at least get the NL Wild Card.

Chicago Eliminated from Olympic Picture

Chicago, expected to be a front-runner with Rio to land the 2016 Olympics, has been eliminated from contention in the first round of voting. The city, which had seen anti-Olympic protests in recent days, was left stunned. From ESPN:

Thousands of people gathered in downtown Chicago stood in stunned silence Friday after watching coverage of the announcement. The vote in Copenhagen was carried on huge television screens in the Daley Center, set up to carry what many had hoped would be apporval of Chicago to host the Games.

An audible gasp could be heard from the crowd. Many stood for a few minutes, staring at the screen, and at least one flung his hands into the air in a crude gesture toward the TV screen.

Within seconds, people began filing out of the plaza.

Not even the combined efforts of the Obamas and Oprah Winfrey could save the bid. And if Oprah can't help, who can?